Author Archives: kkregel

by | December 2, 2009 · 8:00 am

Holiday Gift Guide: For Kids

Anne’s Picks:

It is hard for me to pick a gift for a child without thinking of my own daughter.  Right now, she cannot get enough of play food.  I especially love Melissa and Doug toys because of their commitment to safe toys and adorable designs.  That’s why my top pick for kids this year is the Melissa and Doug Sushi Slicing Play Set.


From left: The Giving Tree ($16), Sushi Slicing Play Set ($20), Bear Slippers ($17), Fun on the Farm Stacker ($39)

Katie’s Picks:

Like many a little girl, I’m a sucker for sparkles which is the first reason why I love TOMS Silver Glitter Shoes.  But even better is the fact that for every pair you buy, TOMS donates a pair to a child in need.  A sparkly gift that keeps giving sounds just about perfect.


From top: Personalized Wire Hanger ($15), Animal Alphabet Poster ($28), Gap Boy’s Warmest Pants ($50), The Polar Express ($11), TOMS Silver Glitter Shoes ($38)

Stef’s Picks:

With my little bouncing baby boy on the way, I cannot help but be obsessed with GAP’s buffalo plaid collection this winter. The plaid trapper hat is not only adorable, but practical for cold Wisconsin winters, complete with a velcro chin strap to help keep the hat on your little ones head.


From left: GAP Buffalo Plaid Trapper Hat ($16.50), Playskool Explore n Grow Busy Ball Popper: ($25), American Girl – Rebecca Rubin ($118), Fisher-Price Little People Christmas: Nativity Set ($25), Gymboree Chairman of the Board Baby Boy outfit ($12-$21)

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by | December 1, 2009 · 9:06 am

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Men in Your Life

Anne’s Picks:

Maybe I am biased because my husband is such a baseball fan, but my favorite pick for the man in your life is Ballpark cuff links crafted from America’s most famous stadium seats.  He may have shed a tear when the old Busch Stadium was torn down, but now he can wear a piece of history!

Christmas gifts for Dad
From left: monogrammed golf club links ($49), Ballpark Cuff Links ($150-$230), Shawn Sunglasses ($68), Fine Lambswool half-zip sweater ($69)

Katie’s Picks:

While I’m enchanted by the smell of whiskey (strange, I know), my favorite pick for the guys is the stylish T-Shirt of the Month Club from Milwaukee locals Heavy Rotation.  What could be better than a monthly present…especially when it’s a cool, comfy graphic tee!

Holiday Gifts for Men

From left: The North Face Windwall Fleece Jacket ($99), Victorinox Swiss Army “Handyman” Knife ($72), Heavy Rotation T-Shirt of the Month-6 mth ($100), Portlandgeneralstore “Whisky no.006” Cologne ($68), Stainless Steel Grill Tools ($80), KoiKouture “Mandle” Man Candle in “Camping” Scent ($25)

Stef’s Picks:

I love to deck out my man in this season’s newest plaid, but my favorite pick is a little more of a splurge. The Amazon Kindle electronic reading device is revolutionizing reading. This gift is great for a man who reads anything from non-fiction history books (like my husband) or if he secretly reads Twilight when you aren’t home. The Kindle is great for someone who travels. It fits right into a pocket or briefcase and you can download books $10 at any time.

Christmas Gifts for Boyfriends
From left: Pottery Barn Colby Leather Smart Technology Recharge Station ($40), Fossil Buckley Fedora ($28), J. Crew Black Stewart tartan tie ($69.50), Amazon Kindle Wireless Reading Device ($259), Nintendo Wii Punch-Out ($50)

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by | November 30, 2009 · 9:02 am

Holiday Gift Guide: For Sisters, Moms & Girlfriends

‘Tis the season to go shopping! Today kicks off HAP’s Haute Holiday Gift Guide Week. Today’s blog focuses on the lady in your life. Whether its your mom, sister, girlfriend or wife, we have a list of top picks to make her smile. Feel free to share your haute holiday picks with us!

And shhhhh, we won’t tell if you want to snag a few of these items for yourself.

Anne’s Picks:

Every woman needs a show-stopping and versatile piece of jewelry in her collection.  That’s why my top pick for the ladies this year is a gorgeous multi-strand crystal necklace.  Perfect for an dressy evening out but  still sweet enough to wear with a t-shirt and jeans.

Christmas gift ideas for women
From left: flannel sleep set ($39), Crystal Malibu Necklace ($68), In Vogue Coffee Table Book ($59), Ruffle-Trim Cardigan ($48)

Katie’s Picks:

I’m loving ultra-feminine details mixed with little bits of glam for the holidays. My top pick for the ladies is the Tarte Treasure Chest all-natural makeup set, which holds hundreds of options for day-to-night looks for a steal of a price.

Christmas gift ideas for girl friends
From left: J.Crew Dream Shawl Cardigan ($118), Tarte Treasure Chest ($52), Grey Ruffled Tunic ($58), Vintage Typewriter Key Pendant ($30), Mary Headband ($28),  J.Crew Crushed Glitter Belt ($24.50)

Stef’s Picks:

Every woman deserves a little pampering. That is why I am all about rest and relaxation this holiday. My top pick for the ladies is the Teavana Tea Gift Set, complete with the Teavana Perfect Tea Maker. Great for loose leaf tea, simply pour the loose leaf tea into the cup, fill with hot water, steep and place the teamaker over your teacup and let it drain. I received one of these as a gift and think every tea enthusiast should have one!

Holiday Gift Guide for Her
From left: Teavana Perfect Gift Set (59.99), Bijli Sequined Infinity Scarf ($58), Kobo White Birch Rosemary Candle ($34), UGG Sweater Knit Scuffette Striped Slippers ($80), The Girls from Ames by Jeffrey Zaslow ($15)

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by | November 23, 2009 · 9:18 am

Wine vs. Beer: Holiday Pairings

Want to instantly improve your holiday meal? Pair it with the right drink! I am SO excited to have two of my favorite beverage makers sharing their tasting and pairing tips with us today.

Brian Brown, winemaker at Napa Valley’s Round Pond Estate and owner of Emerson Brown winery, and Bill Kregel, homebrewer and “haute” husband, will offer up their favorite holiday drink selections. So before you head out to stock your bar this week, check out their tips:

Microbrew beersred and white wine

Give us your one-minute bio
Brian: I knew when I was 17 that I wanted to be a winemaker. My parents’ appreciation of the dining table and all the aspects that go along with it – good food, family, and friends – rubbed off on me and I became interested in wine. I have a degree from UC Davis in Viticulture and Enology and have worked in Sonoma, Australia and Napa.

Bill: I’ve been an avid homebrewer for the past two years. I brew “all-grain”, meaning I don’t use kits or extracts, and I grow a lot of my own hops. I’ve sought out great microbrews for a long time and am constantly encouraging family and friends to expand their beer horizons.

What do you recommend to someone looking to develop their wine/beer palette?
Brian: Get some friends together and open up 3-4 bottles of the same variety of wine. Taste the wines side by side and see how they differ. Don’t worry about what words to use… everyone tends to get caught up on the vocabulary. Just notice how the wines differ and the descriptors will come with experience.

Bill: If you’re used to light lagers like Miller or Bud, start by trying an American or English pale ale, an American brown ale or a citrusy wheat beer. These are easy drinkers with lots of flavor. Also, get adventurous with the brands you buy – there are so many great breweries out there!

What’s the best way to taste wine/beer and what flavors are you looking for?
Brian: Focus on the best way to ENJOY wine as opposed to trying taste it. Wine should be about enjoyment not work. I think the best way to enjoy wine is with food so I look for flavors that compliment whatever I am eating at the time.

Bill: Serve beer cool but not “ice” cold so that it doesn’t kill the flavors. Flavors come from the malt (sweetness), hops (bitterness) and sometimes yeast (in Belgian beers mostly). They can be expressed in countless ways so read the label on the bottle to see what you should look for in each beer and try to pick it out.

What wines/beers pair well with typical holiday foods like turkey, potatoes or pumpkin pie?
Brian: I always try to start the night out with bubbles, especially for the holidays!!! A good rule of thumb for rich, buttery foods is to balance them with a wine with plenty of acid – oaky, buttery Chardonnay doesn’t work. Riesling pairs fairly nicely with turkey and Pinot is a good choice for red. With pie? Pumpkin, I would do a Tokay and pecan, a Tawny Port.

Bill: I’d go with a robust Porter or American brown, like Rogue’s Hazelnut Brown Nectar, to stand up to the turkey and all the fixings. For champagne lovers, I’d go with Dogfish Head’s Red and White or Black and Blue.  Both are spritzy Belgians and the Red and White is actually aged in wine barrels!

Emerson Brown Sauvignon Blanc wine

Brian’s Top 5 Wine Steals
1. Argentina makes some really good value wines, like Malbec or Torrontes.
2. Kendall Jackson does a great job with a value Chardonnay from Sonoma Coast
3. Just about any Gruner Veltliner… its cheap and delicious…
4. Paso Robles has some good deals – hearty red blends for less than Napa or Sonoma
5. There’s always Two Buck Chuck!

Brian’s Top 5 Wine Splurges
1. Anything from the top producers out of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
2. Traditional Spanish Rioja and the newer Spanish wines from Toro
3. A highly rated South Australian Shiraz
4. Pinot from Martinborough, New Zealand
5. Any good sparkling Rose… Billecarte-Salmon is a good go to.

Sites to check: Vinfolio, Wine Spectator

Microbrew beer taps

Bill’s Top Beer Picks
1. Boulder Beer Company Hazed and Infused
2. Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
3. New Glarus Cracked Wheat & Unplugged Series
4. Rogue Hazelnut Brown Nectar, Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner
5. Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale
6. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
7. Stone Brewing Ruination IPA
8. Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

Sites to check: Beer Advocate, Rate Beer

What’s your favorite holiday drink?  Share with us!

Happy Thanksgiving!  And don’t forget to designate a driver when you’re trying all these tasty drinks!

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by | November 20, 2009 · 9:29 am

DIY Winter Decor

Confession:  We are spray paint addicts.  What began as a simple project has now left us lurking about our yards searching for new items to turn into works of art.

This holiday season we’re partial to covering natural materials, like gourds and branches, with luxe metallic spray paint to give them a rustic yet expensive look that can last all winter.  The best part is that these projects are both easy and cheap!

What You’ll Need:
– 1 lg can spray paint ($5-6)
– newspaper
– found objects to spray

You know the drill…Lay down newspaper in a well-ventilated space and spray away!

decorative gold ballsDIY decorative holiday bowl

Katie’s Bowl of Balls
I sprayed several of the decorative twig balls that you can find at most craft stores for $2-4 a piece and put them in a pretty bowl with some birch bark balls and white yarn balls that I wound to look like snowballs.

spraypainted branch

Katie’s Gold Branch Arrangement
I clipped small branches from trees in my yard, particularly ones with berries, to make a glamourous substitute for flowers.  Talk about honoring my metal & wood essences!

Stef’s Silver Thanksgiving Table Arrangement

I purchased an array of gourds from my local nursery and sprayed them with aluminum colored spray paint. Paired with white and silver china, I plan to use these as name holders for my Thanksgiving  table. I placed the extras in a sleek glass bowl we received for our wedding and scattered the table with silver spray painted leaves.

The leaves were a surprise extra as one blew onto my newspaper as I was spraying the gourds. It looked so great, I walked around the yard for the perfect leaves and continued spraying. My neighbors may think I’m crazy, but the table looks beautiful!

Happy spray painting everyone!

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by | November 18, 2009 · 9:27 am

Vintage-Inspired HAP Launch Party

Last Friday we hosted the official launch of Haute Apple Pie!  The party was held at The Home Market in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, a very fitting venue with its mix of vintage and modern home decorations that any modern homemaker would want to covet.

Many thanks to our family, friends and avid readers for making our launch party a huge success! Our gratitude goes to Kate Barrette, Owner of The Home Market, for providing us with a fabulous venue and showing our guests how to make their homes haute.

HAP Launch Party cocktail invite

Guests were invited via postcards created by HAP blogger, Katie, that set the tone for a casual cocktail party.

Vintage recipe card, flower paper punch

Vintage Martha Stewart-inspired flowers were made by punching a variety of different papers with paper punches and fastening them with a brass clip.  As parting gifts, guests were given Haute Apple pie recipe cards containing three of our favorite recipes of the night.

shabby chic holiday decor

Holiday decorations, from frosted pine scented candles to wooden ornaments, filled The Home Market giving guests a first glance at the season’s latest trends for the home.

shabby chic tablescapespiked apple cider

Cucumber Herb, Bruschetta, Sundried Tomato Twists

There was no shortage of food as the tables were filled with a mix of savory and sweet goodies, created by the HAP ladies.  Each dish was labeled with a rustic hand-made calligraphy tag nailed to a birch branch.  Guests snacked on Sun-dried Tomato Twists with fresh herbs, Creamy Goat Cheese Filled Cucumbers and Tomato Bruschetta with a Balsamic Reduction.  They sipped on Haute Apple Cider, a hot brandy concoction, and a wonderful selection of wines.

Haute Apple Pies, Pumpkin Cupcakes
They were also treated to seasonal goodies – mini Haute Apple Pies and Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple-Bourbon Frosting.

birch log stand, handwritten calligraphy

Guests also had the opportunity to win one of two raffle prizes sponsored by The Home Market by placing their information in a vintage apothecary jar.  A hard cover copy of Ideal Home: The Interior Design Bible and a fabulous ivory platter by Soule Studio complete with a dish towel a recipe card holder were given to two lucky Haute Apple Pie readers.

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by | November 17, 2009 · 9:29 am

And The Winners Are….

The Home Market & Haute Apple PieFirst off, a huge thanks to all our friends, family and readers who came to last Friday’s HAP Launch Party and made it such a success!

An even bigger thanks  to Kate & Amy at The Home Market for opening their fabulous store to us.

 

And now for the fun part…the winners of our giveaways!

Blog GiveawaysIdealhome Interior Design Bible

The winner of our first giveaway, a copy of Idealhome: The Interior Design Bible, is…….Annie Tower!

Soule Studio pottery, Vegetable Box recipes

Our second giveaway includes a Soule Studio serving platter, dish towel and The Vegetable Box crate, which holds 14 mini books and over 300 recipes. The winner is……..Katie Winn!

Party details will be featured later this week so be sure to check back.  For now, we’ll leave you with a few party photos:

Haute Apple Pie launch party

Haute Apple Pie Launch Party

Haute Apple Pie blog

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by | November 9, 2009 · 9:17 am

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple-Bourbon Frosting

It’s reader’s choice week again on HAP and this time you picked a Thanksgiving classic: pumpkin! Since pumpkin pie recipes are on the back of nearly every can of pumpkin, we’ll be serving up some variations on the popular ingredient.

For my Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple-Bourbon Frosting, I started with Martha Stewart‘s pumpkin cupcakes, amped up the spices a little and then whipped some fall flavors into my favorite cream cheese frosting.  Although I don’t actually like drinking bourbon, the hint of flavor it adds gives the frosting great depth and pairs nicely with the spicy cake.

pumpkin cupcake recipe with cream cheese frosting

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES:
2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1+ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/3 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/3 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 C brown sugar
1 C sugar
2 sticks butter, melted
4 eggs
1 can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, combine flour, spices, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs, beating one at a time. Working in thirds, add dry ingredients to sugar mixture and beat well. Beat in pumpkin.

Spoon batter into lined cupcake tin, filling 3/4 full. Bake for 18-22 min for standard size cupcakes or 28-30 min for Texas sized cupcakes. Cool completely before frosting.

MAPLE-BOURBON FROSTING:
1 stick butter, softened
1 8oz pkg reduced fat cream cheese
3-4 C powdered sugar
2 Tbsp good bourbon, such as Maker’s Mark
1/4 C real maple syrup OR 1/2 tsp maple extract
*optional melted chocolate for fleur de lis

Beat butter and cream cheese until creamy. Beat in one cup of powdered sugar. Add bourbon and maple syrup and beat well. Beat in remaining powdered sugar. If frosting is not thick enough to your liking, beat in 1/4 C flour or additional sugar to thicken.

NOTE: I used maple syrup but didn’t get quite as much maple flavor as I wanted. If you can find maple extract I would try using that instead to get a stronger maple flavor.

chocolate drizzle fleur de lisCHOCOLATE
FLEUR de LIS:
Microwave 2/3 C chocolate chips in a small Ziploc bag for 1 minute. Spread parchment or wax paper on a cookie sheet. Clip off a tiny bit of  the bottom corner of the bag and  pipe chocolate into shapes on the parchment. Freeze for 2-3 hours.

katie

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by | November 2, 2009 · 10:05 am

Haute Destination: New Orleans

They don’t call New Orleans the Big Easy for nothing.  On my first trip to one of America’s best culinary destinations, I quickly found that it couldn’t be easier to eat your way through this city. For anyone that’s a fan of bold, spicy foods, interesting cocktails and top-caliber restaurants, New Orleans is a trip to put on your list.  Here’s a quick look:
New Orleans Cafe du Monde beignets

New Orleans French Quarter is where all the magic (and maybe a little voodoo) happens.  The only way  to start your day there is with Cafe du Monde‘s fluffy, sugar coated beignets and a tall cafe au lait.

New Orleans Acme Oyster House and Seafood Gumbo

Seafood is everywhere, but no place does oysters like Acme Oyster House.  Their savory seafood gumbo and hush puppies were equally tasty.

Mother's Restaurant New Orleans and Po'Boy Sandwich

Our friend Val, a New Orleans native, insisted that we hit up Mother’s Restaurant in the business district.  While the ambiance is nothing fancy, one bite of Mother’s overflowing shrimp po’boy with a healthy dose of Louisiana hot sauce and you understand why this place is a legend.  In the corner, Bill sips a mint julep at Oak Alley Plantation.

We also sampled delicious BBQ shrimp and buttery grits at Marigny Brasserie, duck spring rolls and pecan pie at Mr B’s Bistro and of course the classic hurricane at Pat O’Briens.

After coming home (and hitting the gym!) I pulled out my jambalaya recipe to get one last taste of New Orleans.  This jambalaya is an easy and nearly one-pot dish for anyone craving some Creole flavors at home.

New Orleans Style Jambalaya
3 stalks celery, chopped
1/2  onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
3 Tbsp butter
1 C white rice
2 1/2 C low sodium chicken broth
2 chicken breasts, cut into chunks  (cajun seasoned work great)
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled
3 andouille or smoked sausages, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
thyme
1/2 tsp cajun spice, pepper
salt, cayenne pepper to taste

In a stockpot or Dutch oven, saute onions, green pepper, celery and butter until vegetables are softened. In a separate saute pan, begin cooking chicken and sausage. As vegetables soften, add tomatoes, rice, broth and garlic.  Season with spices, adding cayenne to taste. Simmer on medium low while meat cooks.

When meats are almost cooked, add shrimp and cook through. Incorporate meats into the stockpot and stir well.  Taste and add extra seasoning needed. Simmer until rice is cooked, about 10-15 minutes.

jambalaya

PS:  In the Milwaukee area?  We’re hosting a HAP Launch Party at The Home Market and you’re invited!  Check out the link for details and if you’re coming or have questions, feel free to post a comment on our Contact page! Hope to see you there!

katie

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by | October 26, 2009 · 8:34 am

The Perfect Mojito

After spending the weekend eating fabulous Creole foods in New Orleans (which I’ll be talking about next Monday!), I came back to a sunny and warm Wisconsin afternoon. Since it was probably one of the last we’ll see for awhile, it just begged for one of my favorite guilty pleasures:  Mojitos.

Delightfully refreshing, tart and boozy, mojitos are a traditional Cuban cocktail that make a great pairing for any spicy, Latin meal or just a warm, Indian summer evening. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that they’re often a specialty drink at restaurants…you can easily make this mojito recipe at home.

mojito

Mojito
2 oz white rum
3/4 of a lime
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
ice (crushed is nice but cubes work too)
handful fresh mint leaves
splash of lemon-lime soda

For the perfect mojito, make each cocktail in its own glass or make two using a cocktail shaker.

mojitomuddler

Combine mint leaves and sugar in the bottom of a pint glass or cocktail shaker. Slice lime into quarters and fully squeeze two quarters over the mint and sugar.

Use a muddler to muddle together the ingredients until mint leaves are broken up and sugar is dissolved.

mojitoprep1

Add ice and squeezed lime slices to the glass. Pour in rum and splash of soda. Shake or stir well. Squeeze another lime quarter over the top and add remains to glass. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

katie

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